Seattle Mariners: Can Logan Gilbert be the M’s Ace?
Clint Prasky
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Last season Logan Gilbert came up to the Major Leagues and impressed. Can he become the Seattle Mariners’ next ace?
In their 45 year history, the Seattle Mariners have had several aces. Pitchers such as Randy Johnson and Felix Hernandez mowed down opposing hitters. Can Logan Gilbert become the next M’s ace?
The term “ace” is tossed around by fans too easily. In reality, there are only a few true aces in the entire league. It’s a loose definition given to each team’s number one starter. But not all Aces are created equal.
So back to the meaning of staff ace. He is the pitcher who takes the ball every fifth day and, if necessary, on short rest in crucial games. A guy his teammates count on to stop losing streaks. A pitcher with “ice in his veins,” so to speak, who can get out of a jam and gives his team their best chance to win each time he takes the mound.
Off to a good start
Let’s look at Gilbert’s 2021 rookie year numbers. On the surface, he made 24 starts (6 quality starts) and posted a 6-5 record over 119.1 innings pitched. He also struck out 128 batters and 28, which works out to 9.7 Ks and 2.7 BBs per nine innings. Not too bad for a rookie, but are they ace numbers?
Not yet. The next logical question is, did Gilbert show flashes of a future Ace in 2021?
His best outing was July 8, a home game vs. the New York Yankees., The kid threw 7 innings of 1-hit ball with 8 strikeouts and no walks. Seattle won 4-0, and that was when Gilbert showed a glimpse of what he can be.